Postgraduate Scholarship

Scholarship support will be provided to successful applicants looking to attain a research-based postgraduate degree (Doctor of Philosophy or Master’s Degree by Research).

The scholarship supports outstanding graduates early in their careers so they can be trained to conduct cardiovascular health and medical research that is internationally competitive.

The research may lead to translation into practice. If so, the postgraduate proposals should clearly cite the evidence that is to be implemented from guidelines and/or published systematic reviews.

Demonstration of translation and implementation methodologies and stakeholder and/or consumer engagement and co-design are also strongly encouraged in the Postgraduate Scholarship proposal.

For applicants to be considered for funding, they must meet the following eligibility criteria: 

• The applicant will be considered the Chief Investigator A (CIA) on this project.
• CIA must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident or have applied for Australian permanent residency at the time of the application
• CIA must be from an NHMRC Administering Institution
• CIA must also be based in Australia for at least 80% of the funding period
• CIA must meet the entry requirements for or be currently enrolled in a graduate research degree program at an NHMRC Administering Institution.

• To build an environment of equity for all early career researchers from all relevant disciplines, achievement and track record will be assessed on individual performance in the past 5 years. Reviewers will consider:
• publications including abstracts as first and/or middle author
• grants where the candidate is the lead or Chief Investigator (e.g travel grant)
• presentations or posters presented by the candidate themselves

PhD Scholarships

• Funded for a maximum period of three years of full-time equivalent (FTE) study.
• As of January 1, in the year funding commences, you may not have completed more than 12 months (or PTE) of your PhD degree.
• Any study commenced prior to funding commencing will be deducted from the funding period. E.g., FTE study completed as of January 1 is six months. Therefore, the CIA will be entitled to receive 2.5 years of full-time funding (three years minus six months).
• The duration of a fulltime or part-time Scholarship will be reduced by any periods of study undertaken towards the nominated degree before the commencement of the funding period.
• Funding will cease from the day the PhD thesis is submitted or at the completion of 3 years FTE candidature for a PhD. Scholarship recipients (through their RAOs) are required to notify the Heart Foundation at the time their thesis is submitted and provide evidence of the date of submission

Master’s Degree Scholarship

• Funded for a maximum period of two years of FTE study.
• As of January 1, in the year funding commences, you may not have completed more than six months (FTE) of your Master’s degree.
• Any study commenced prior to funding commencing will be deducted from funding period. E.g., FTE study completed as of January 1 is six months. Therefore, the CIA will be entitled to receive 1.5 years of full-time funding (two years minus six months).
• The duration of a fulltime or part-time Scholarship will be reduced by any periods of study undertaken towards the nominated degree before the commencement of the funding period. 
• Funding will cease from the day the Master’s Degree by Research thesis is submitted or at 2 years FTE for a Master’s Degree by Research. Scholarship recipients (through their RAOs) are required to notify the Heart Foundation at the time their thesis is submitted and provide evidence of the date of submission

Top-up funding

• Applicants applying for NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship funding, are eligible to apply for the Heart Foundation’s Postgraduate Scholarship and should acknowledge this in application where asked.
• Funding from both schemes must have the same funding commencement date.
• If the applicant is successful in both funding schemes, they have the option of accepting the NHMRC funding and a top-up stipend from the Heart Foundation.

What’s the value of the Postgraduate Scholarship?

Up to 3 years of support (up to 2 years of support for Master’s Degree scholarship).

When can you apply?

• Applications open: Monday 31 March 2025
• Applications close: Friday 16 May 2025
• Successful applicants notified: October 2025

How should you apply?

Applications must be submitted via the Heart Foundation’s Grants Management Portal.

Download the  Research Program Funding Guidelines for more details.

*Please note updated 2025 Research Funding Guidelines will be available early 2025